August 26, 2020
News Advertiser PAGE 17
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Vegreville Parent Attends Project Safe September Rally Michelle Pinon News Advertiser Vegreville parent Dane Woychuk joined other parents, teachers, and community members to express their concerns about Alberta’s back to school plan at a rally that took place in front of MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk’s Fort Saskatchewan satellite office on Aug. 21. Woychuk said Project Safe September is part of a province-wide action focused on having the Provincial Government reconsider re-opening schools in September. He said the Kenney government’s back-toschool re-entry plan could be greatly improved and has several concerns about the plan as his child will be starting Grade 7 at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Vegreville on Sept. 1. Ideally, he would like the start of school to be pushed back. “If only to give teachers enough time to adequately have their classrooms prepared and all the necessary tools are in place…
And while it may not be an issue in some of the rural schools, I know it’s going to be near impossible for there to be safe social distancing enforced in classes with 30 or more kids. I know with my child’s own school they are doing a staggered re-entry from September 1st to 4th and then going back to “business as usual” September 8th. I honestly don’t think that will be enough time, even with teachers now going in making sure their classrooms and projected enrolment can safely be obtained. My main concerns are the class sizes not being capped. In order for there to be safe social distancing for students and teachers, I fully agree with capping class sizes to a maximum of 15 students. I am also concerned with the lack of support staff being available in schools…As well as having the teachers rely on their own cleaning of rooms is in my opinion not a good idea… Hiring additional teachers, EAs, custodians,
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Vegreville Parent - CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
